GAS was the likely cause of the explosion at Mont Pinel, initial investigations have found – but work to determine how the blast occurred is ongoing.
Island Energy has said it is still working with the relevant authorities in relation to the incident and that it is conducting an additional survey of the gas network as part a “broader safety programme”.
Emergency services rushed to Elizabeth Villas in Mont Pinel on the evening of Wednesday 26 June, when an “unidentified suspected explosion and structural collapse” necessitated the rescue of two adults and two children from a property and the temporary evacuation of nearby residents.
Despite their bedroom being left exposed when the front wall of their home collapsed, the children – aged two and five – were unharmed, while their parents reportedly sustained “non-life threatening or life-changing” injuries.
All four were taken to the General Hospital and have since been discharged.
In an update today, the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service said the Health and Safety Inspectorate was still working to determine the cause of the incident, but that initial investigations pointed to a gas explosion.
“Loss adjusters are now able to access the properties at Elizabeth Villas to help the families and their insurers begin to rebuild and return to their homes.
“It is reasonable to conclude that an explosion occurred due to ignition of a mixture of a flammable gas and air that accumulated within the property,” the statement read.
Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham has thanked both the JFRS and the Health and Safety Inspectorate for their investigations into the blast.
He said: “Our thoughts remain with all those impacted, and the government continues to provide support and guidance to all affected by the incident.”
An Island Energy spokesperson said that, as part of its “broader safety programme in Jersey”, the utility company was “conducting an additional survey of the network”.
They explained that households and business customers will soon receive a letter informing them of a visit, “explaining why we are conducting the surveys, and the procedure”.
The spokesperson said: “We acknowledge the results of the SJFRS investigation and continue to work with the relevant authorities regarding the incident in the vicinity of Le Mont Pinel.
“We are unable to comment further until we receive the forensic results of the Health and Safety Inspectorate (HSI) report.”
